15 FREE Kids’ Summer Reading Programs
Looking for a way to entertain the kiddos this Summer and challenge their minds at the same time?! Here are 15 summer reading programs that you may want to take advantage of…
1.) Barnes & Noble
Through September 5th, Barnes & Noble will be hosting a Summer Reading Program where kiddos can earn a completely FREE book in the following easy steps!
- Head over here and download the summer reading journal.
- Have your child read ANY 8 books this summer and record them in the journal.
- Head to your nearest Barnes & Noble and turn in the completed journal by September 5th, 2017. Find a location near you here.
- Choose a free book from the books listed on the back of the reading journal – limit one free book per child!
2.) Barefoot Books
Whenever you sign up for the Barefoot Books Summer Reading Club, you’ll get FREE access to the members-only Summer Reading Clubhouse, where you’ll find the following…
- A Members’ Only discount — 25% off your next purchase (code expires 5/31/2017)
- An exclusive color-in membership certificate for your child
- A kid-friendly reading log, so your child can track this summer’s adventures
- Recommended books list, highlighting my favorite Books for Social-Emotional Learning, Diverse & Inclusive Books, Global Books and Books for a Greener Planet
- The first official Club activity for your child to enjoy
- And more — all for FREE!
All of this will be emailed for FREE to your inbox when you join their Summer Reading Club.
3.) Chuck E. Cheese
Chuck E. Cheese has a reading program (as well as other reward programs) where kids can earn 10 FREE Chuck E. Cheese tokens for reading every day for 2 weeks. This promotion is valid all year round. (A food purchase is required)
4.) Half Price Books
For the month of June AND July 2017 only, kids 14 and under can earn $5 Bookworm Bucks (i.e. store credit) to use on anything in the store whenever they’ve read 300+ minutes. Just download and use this reading log, add up your minutes and have a parent or guardian initial each week.
Then bring the reading log to your local Half Price Books to claim your Bookworm Bucks on or before August 31st, 2017. Each child can earn $5 Bookworm Bucks for the month of June AND $5 for July.
5.) Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge
The Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge is a FREE online reading program for children that runs now through September 8th, 2017. After registering, kiddos can read as many minutes as they can, log their minutes and then earn virtual prizes! Go here for more details and to see the book list.
6.) Pizza Hut BOOK IT! Program
To help increase reading time during the summer months, the Pizza Hut BOOK IT! Program has partnered with Candlewick Press to bring your kids summer reading activities. Just go here and click on the links to learn more about the books and download the activities. Also, be sure to follow them on Facebook for chances to win awesome prize packs this summer!
7.) LifeWay Summer Reading Quest
Starting June 1st through August 31st, LifeWay stores are launching their 2017 Summer Reading Quest with Bibleman. This program is geared toward grades 1 through 6, but all are welcome to join in the adventure. Just read six books over the course of the summer and memorize six Scripture verses.
Then turn in a completed summer reading journal by August 31st at your local LifeWay store to earn a FREE book (choose from 6 options) and a new FREE Bible or devotional!
8.) TD Bank Summer Reading Program
If you have a TD Bank near you, kids in Kindergarten through 5th grade can earn $10 to be deposited into their new or existing TD Bank Young Saver Account when they read 10 books (will need form of ID for child opening new account). Starting June 1st through August 31st, participating kids need to:
- Read 10 books this summer
- Print out the Summer Reading Form
- Write down the names of the books they’ve read
- Take the form to the nearest TD Bank
- Watch $10 be deposited into a new or existing Young Saver Account
NOTE – They have not updated the landing page or reading form yet but I did chat with a customer service rep and they are planning to update the information very soon so be sure to check back!
9.) Books-A-Million
This summer, whenever you read any 4 books from the Books-A-Million Summer Reading Challenge selection in-stores and online, you’ll receive a FREE Maze Runner series water bottle! Note that you must present the completed reading journal in-stores to receive the water bottle, while supplies last.
10.) SYNC Audiobooks for Teens
SYNC is a FREE program for readers ages 13+ that gives away 2 FREE complete audiobook downloads every week each Summer. Through August 17th, each week SYNC features high interest titles, based on weekly themes, and the files are available from Thursday morning 7AM Eastern Time until the following Thursday morning at 7am Eastern time when the new audiobook titles become available.
The audiobook downloads are in MP3 format and delivered through the OverDrive app which can be easily downloaded for FREE. Go here for more information and to download your FREE audiobooks.
11.) Showcase Cinemas
During the summer months, Showcase Cinemas offers Bookworm Wednesdays that entitles kids to FREE admission to a select children’s film when they present a book report at a participating Cinema de Lux, Showcase, or Multiplex Cinemas box office. Accompanying parents or guardians and children under six years of age receive FREE admission and do not need to submit a book report.
12.) Pottery Barn Kids
Every Tuesday at 11AM, attend FREE Story Time at your local Pottery Barn Kids with readings, activities and more. Plus, become a Pottery Barn Kids Club member and you’ll get a special surprise after attending five events (possibly a $10 off purchase coupon, free book, or other prize).
13.) Sylvan’s Book Adventure
Sylvan’s reading program called Book Adventure encourages kids from grades K-8 to read books and then take online quizzes over the books to earn points. These points can then be redeemed for prizes from the Prize Library like books, magazine subscriptions, tattoos, candy, CD’s and more.
Parents and teachers will even have the opportunity to track their child’s/students work (just click on the “Teacher’s Lounge” OR “Parents Place”). Go here to get started searching for a book or check out this video or this page for more details and information.
14.) H-E-Buddy Summer Reading Club
If you live in Texas and are between the ages of 3-12, consider participating in the H‑E‑Buddy 2017 Summer Reading Program! Just read ten books by October 1st and record them on this reading log. Each time you log a book, have an adult initial by the title so you get credit for reading. Once the log is complete, mail the form to the address below, and you’ll be rewarded with a FREE T‑shirt.
H‑E‑Buddy 2017 Summer Reading Program
10530 Sentinel
San Antonio, TX 78217
15.) Public Library
Be sure to check your local public library as many libraries have a kids’ reading rewards program, as well as FREE story time, family movie days, activities and more throughout the summer.
Written by Mary for Hip2Save. Mary is a proud mom to 3 kids in Austin, TX, who thrives off running long distance, bargain shopping, warm weather, a yummy latte…and a little Candy Crush from time to time. She loves quality time with family & friends and sharing great deals with others.
I love this! Thanks collin!! Side note, in the fine print on the Chuck e cheese redemption it states a food purchase is required for the 10 free tokens, boo.
You’re so welcome! Thanks for the heads up! I see that now as well.
I’ve redeemed it without purchase before
Is anyone having trouble with the link to the barnes and noble reading journal. I clicked on it but I does not take me to the journal and I tried looking for it and it is not available.
Can’t find it either
Beth, I put the link
hi
here you go
its some pages under and hard to find
https://dispatch.barnesandnoble.com/content/dam/ccr/pdf/2017/summer-reading/summerreading_tearpad_eng.pdf?x=y
Never mind. I found it. https://dispatch.barnesandnoble.com/content/dam/ccr/pdf/2017/summer-reading/summerreading_tearpad_eng.pdf?x=y
Thanks I couldn’t find either
Thank you!
You’re welcome!
Is there any free program to teach preK (going to Kinder) kids how to read? I’d like to do this but we are still working on sounding out letter not actually reading but want to accomplish that this summer before starting kindergarten in the fall. Thanks for any input🌺
This isn’t a free program, but I highly recommend the book ‘Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons’. You can pick it up for about $14 new or less than $10 used on Amazon. (Some reviewers mentioned being able to check it out of their library to look it over first). I’ve used it with 2 of my kids now and had great success with it. 🙂
Thank you Chris. 🌺
This isn’t free either, but it’s about $25 for the whole year, Starfall. Actually, it’s free up to a certain point and then you’ll have to pay for the next level. We’ve been doing it this year with my Pre-K along with the reading book mentioned and he is doing quite well. Hope you like it!
The blogger This Reading Mama has two entirely free printable learn to read curriculums that I love.
Thank you!
You are so welcome! 🙂
It’s not a reading program but we use Overdrive it’s a website and an app u can access w/most library cards in the US & they have a HUGE library of ebooks, audio books (only way I get to read & my kids LOVE listening to books in the car like Stuart Little, Pete the Cat or even capt underpants), even movies and music.
The best part is I don’t have to remember to take books back or worry one got lost or colored in. I got so sick of forgetting to return books on time & having to pay a ton in late fees! We belong to 3 libraries & my kids school does it as well so the sky is the limit on what to read!
I cancelled that joke KindleUnlimited & my audible subscriptions. Saves me a grip every month!
Wow – thanks for the tip!!
Check with your schools too. All of our reading specialists and librarians offer a summer reading program – the kids turn in their reading log for a prize at back to school night.
Half price books is our favorite!
Wow, thanks, Mary! My kids will love a few of these- especially the online options since we live in a small town.
You are most welcome!
A Star Hip2Saver is a recognized member of our Hip2Save community hand selected by our team for demonstrating a long history of engagement with helpful & friendly comments across Hip2Save.com and our social channels. Our Star Hip2Saver badge acts as a verification for readers who know the ins and outs of all Hip2Save sets out to accomplish — assisting our community to live extraordinary lives on ordinary budgets. Readers cannot pay or provide any sort of exchange in order to earn this badge. Rather, they are invited to participate by a member of the Hip2Save team and opt to have the Star Hip2Saver badge added to their profile & comments.
Our library in Wheaton, IL has a 1,000 books before kindergarten program we just signed up for. Love the library- my kids love reading new books.
I use to live in Wheaton and my parents live in Warrenville. Crazy to see a local on here! I live in Palatine now. PS Glen Ellyn library has a great program!
The Dundee township library has the same program & I signed my daughter up at 1.5!
The Barnes and Noble club appears to only be for kids in grades 1-6.
Thanks for clarifying Dale 🙂
I did the TD bank program. No issues and my daughter has an extra $10 in her account!